THE SECOND COURSE is not just a book for foodies. It is the tender story of four friendships between Billy, Lucy, Lotta, and Sarah. In THE SECOND COURSE, we explore their conflicts, dreams, secrets, and loyalties.

Billy (Wilhelmina) Sitwell is going broke. It is too expensive for her to continue to live in the Big Apple. Her landlord is going to raise her rent again and the royalties on her vintage cocktail book are drying up. Her culinary career is on the wane and she is bored by the restaurants in the city. Food became her everything when her mother committed suicide when she was six years old. She lived in the mid-west until her father died, and then headed to Manhattan to follow her culinary dream. Her relationship with Brett is going no where, even though he is eager for one, Billy continues to keep a distance between them but enjoys their sexual encounters. When she meets Chef Ethan at the lavish wedding of her friend Lotta and Omari, she is so impressed with his food that she goes uninvited into his kitchen. He is tall, dark, handsome, and young. When she introduces herself, he invites her to HUMA, his restaurant in Kingston, in the idyllic Hudson Valley. With Ethan, his team, and her friends, her dreams Slowly and surely become a reality.

The lovely descriptions of the River House, Billy's Kingston rental is instantly warm and welcoming. When disaster strikes with the suicide of Lucy's husband, Titus, all the friends reunite there to grieve with Lucy. While cooking simply and with love, Billy realizes this is how she cooks best, and what makes her the happiest. She writes a long, lovely letter to Brett, explaining her feelings for him and they reunite.

Kelly Killoren weaves a delightful web as we explore the trading of her Big City life for the peaceful farm-to-table atmosphere. I enjoyed the foraging for mushrooms with Ethan and his pasta with chanterelles is pure delight! I especially enjoyed the memory palates and can envision my own recollections of special food and places.

From the luscious cover to the sweet ending, THE SECOND COURSE is a book that you will find hard to put down. You will come to know and love the colorful characters and delight in the ending. A lovely read. Have a snack and a tissue close!